Tire module attachment mount

• US 6,462,650 B1
• Filed: 08/11/2000
• Issued: 10/08/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/11/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Michelin Recherche et Technique SA (Compagnie Generale DES Etablissements Michelin SCA)
• Original Assignee: Cecil Young, David Kevin Stafford, Preston Butler Jr. Kemp, Raymond J. Balzer
• Inventors: Kemp, Preston Butler Jr., Young, Cecil, Stafford, David Kevin, Balzer, Raymond J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu, Daniel J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, TOAN NGOC
• Application Number:
  US09/638,523
• Time in Patent Office: 788 Days
• Field of Search: 340/442, 340/445, 340/447, 152/152.1, 731/46, 731/464, 731/465, 307/10.1, 156/60, 156/153
• US Class Current: 340/442
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/0072 Attaching fasteners to tyres, e.g. patches, in order to connect devices to tyres
• CPC Class Codes: B29D 2030/0077 Directly attaching monitoring devices to tyres before or after vulcanization, e.g. microchips
• CPC Class Codes: B60C 23/0493 for attachment on the tyre
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/10 Methods of surface bonding and/or assembly therefor

Abstract

The present invention provides a tire monitor apparatus and monitored vehicle tire. A module which monitors tire information is supported by a rubber ply affixed to the inside surface of the tire. The module has electrical components for monitoring tire information by collecting, storing and/or reading information about the tire. A retainer assembly is used to secure the module to the rubber ply such that the module is support within the tire'"'"'s cavity. The module is mounted to be removed, exchanged, etc. In one embodiment, the monitor module may be isolated from tire loads such that the durability of the monitoring system is improved. The fastener assembly has first parts carried by the rubber ply and second fastener parts built into the module. The first and second fastener parts cooperate to support said module from said rubber ply. The first part may be in the form of a shaft or stem having an axial length which allows the module to be retained at an offset distance from the ply and tire. A damping element may also be used to limit movement and vibrations of the module, all of which adds to the reliability and life of the monitor.

Claims

1. Vehicle tire monitor apparatus for monitoring tire information on a vehicle comprising:

a rubber ply having a first side affixable to an interior surface of the tire at a predetermined location within a cavity of the tire;

a monitor module carried by a second side of said rubber ply for containing a monitor which monitors the tire information;

a module retainer assembly having a first fastener part for securing said monitor module to said rubber ply; and

,

a motion damping element operatively engaged between said rubber ply and said monitor module independent of said first fastener part for reducing movement and vibrations of said monitor module.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said first fastener part is carried by said rubber ply and said retainer assembly includes a complementary, second fastener part carried by said module, said first and second fastener parts cooperating to securely fasten said monitor module to said rubber ply.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said first fastener part includes a stem having one end affixed to said rubber ply;

and said second fastener part includes a keyway formed in said monitor module having a first portion for engaging said stem and a second portion for engaging said motion damping element when said module is secured to said rubber ply.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said stem includes a retainer button carried by a remote end of said stem for limiting axial movement of said monitor module away from said rubber ply when said stem is secured in said first portion of said keyway.

5. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said first portion of said keyway includes a retention slot formed in said module for receiving said stem whereby said module monitor is retained by said stem and retainer button.

6. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein said second portion of said keyway includes an entrance formed through said monitor module for receiving said retainer button and stem, and said keyway includes a guide slot formed between said entrance and said retention slot for guiding said stem from said entrance into said retention slot.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein said guide slot is tapered inwardly towards said retention slot to resist movement of said stem from said retention slot.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein said motion damping element includes a protuberance which is received in said entrance of said module monitor when said stem is received in said retention slot, said entrance being defined by at least one sidewall for engaging said protuberance to reduce movement and vibrations of said monitor module.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 including an isolation mount disposed between said rubber ply and said module monitor for mounting said monitor module in an offset distance with respect to said rubber ply so that the durability of the monitor module and the tire is increased.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein said isolation mount comprises said stem of said module retaining assembly having a sufficient length to allow said monitor module to be affixed near a remote end of said stem at said offset distance from said rubber ply and be retained at said offset distance.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 including a retainer button carried near said remote end of said stem to maintain said monitor module at said offset distance from said rubber ply.

12. A vehicle tire monitor apparatus for monitoring tire information of a tire mounting to a vehicle, wherein the tire has an interior surface defining an interior tire cavity when said apparatus comprises:

a rubber ply having a first side for being affixed to said interior surface at a predetermined location within the tire cavity;

a monitor module for being secured to said rubber ply and for containing a monitor which monitors the tire information while on the vehicle;

a module retainer assembly for securing said module to said rubber ply which includes a first fastener part carried by said rubber ply and a second, complementary fastener part carried by said module monitor so that said first and second fastener parts secure said module monitor together when said rubber ply is affixed in the tire cavity; and

,

a motion damping element carried by said rubber ply spaced from said first fastener part for engaging said monitor module when affixed to said rubber ply for reducing movement and vibrations of said monitor module during operation of the vehicle.

13. The apparatus of claim 12 wherein said first fastener part and said motion damping elements are longitudinally spaced on said rubber ply.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said first fastener part includes a stem having one end affixed to said rubber ply which engages said complementary, second fastener part of said monitor module for securing said monitor module to said rubber ply.

15. The apparatus of claim 14 wherein said stem includes a retainer button carried by a remote end of said stem for limiting the axial movement of said monitor module on said stem in a direction away from said rubber ply.

16. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein said second fastener part includes a retainer opening formed in said module for receiving said stem whereby said module monitor is retained by said stem and retainer button.

17. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein said second fastener part includes an entrance formed through said monitor module for receiving said retainer button, and a guide slot formed between said entrance and said retention slot for guiding said stem from said entrance into said retention slot.

18. The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said guide slot is tapered inwardly towards said retention slot to resist movement of said stem from said retention slot.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said motion damping element includes a protuberance which is received in said entrance of said module monitor when said stem is received in said retention slot, said entrance being defined by at least one sidewall wherein said protuberance engages said sidewall to reduce movement and vibrations of said monitor module.

20. The apparatus of claim 12 including an isolation mount disposed between said rubber ply and said module monitor for mounting said monitor module in an offset distance with respect to said rubber ply so that the durability of the monitor module and the tire is increased.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said retainer assembly includes a stem having a sufficient length to allow said monitor module to be affixed near a remote end of said stem at the offset distance from said rubber ply and be retained at said offset distance.

22. The apparatus of claim 21 including a retainer button carried near said remote end of said stem to maintain said monitor module at said offset distance from said rubber ply.

23. The apparatus of claim 20 including a plurality of resilient elements which deform and become sandwiched between said rubber ply and said monitor module.